The Forbidden Trilogy(135)

"From the water?" Luke appeared puzzled.

Morrison looked at her brother as if he were a student not paying attention in class. "Yes, from the water. You know... two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen."

It was Lucy's turn to be impressed. She examined the device and then attached it to her wet suit. They'd provided her with a top-of-the-line laptop for hacking, but she pulled it out and set it aside. "I need to use my own computer. I can't risk working on a new system while in the middle of an assignment."

"That goes against regulation. We know the quality of our own tools. I'm not comfortable sending you into a hostile situation with an unknown."

Lucy rolled her eyes and pulled out her own computer from her backpack. The sphere pulsed softly and she palmed it and dropped it into her new pack before showing the agent her computer. "This is top-of-the-line. Even you don't have a better model with more power. It's fully customized and programmed for me, specifically. I'm not going in without it. And for the record, I'm not under your regulation. I'm not your agent. You and your agency are working with us. Let's keep that clear."

Luke snickered beside her, and Morrison made a face as if he'd bit into a lemon.

Lucy didn't say another word, just waited for the agent to make a move. How far would he push her?

He opened his mouth to speak, but his phone buzzed. "Yeah...... oh, yes, sir....... I understand, sir.... Goodbye." His face twitched in annoyance, and he grabbed the IPI-issued laptop and put it in his own pack.

Interesting. Had someone just given him an order to allow her to use her own computer? She'd been certain he was going to make an issue of this. That meant the higher-ups had them bugged and were keeping an eye on them.

Based on Luke's expression, he'd made the same connections. They'd have to talk about this later.

Morrison handed them parachutes. "We can't get too close to the base without revealing ourselves, so you'll have to jump. Once you've completed your mission, use the orange flair gun provided to alert us. Agent Simmons will bring a task force through the gate and get everyone out. If you run into problems, use the red flare gun, and her team will bust through the gate and attempt to offer aid."

Attempt to offer aid. That sounded so reassuring. Not the most foolproof plan. They'd tried to negotiate, but couldn't make contact with the head of Rent-a-Kid—Sam's father. They'd even captured a hostage—the leader of the compound—but still, no one responded to them.

Luke tightened a strap around his chest and stood to make sure all his equipment was secured properly. "What if we're captured, what's Plan B?"

Lucy wondered that as well, as she readied herself for the jump and the mission.

"We have the compound's leader. We're hoping they will trade, if you're caught."

Lucy stood, mouth agape. "Your big plan is to try to trade a guy no one appears to want, to rescue two powerful paranormals? And you think this is a good plan?" She couldn't believe this lamest plan ever. If they were captured, it would never work.

"I never said it was a good plan, but it's the plan we have. Moral of the story? Don't get caught."

Right, don't get caught. "Let me talk to him."

Morrison looked up from his own preparations. "Who?"

"The hostage. If he's on the plane, let me talk to him. I have some experience with interrogation. Maybe I can get him to tell us more."

No one could lie to her without her knowing. Surely she could break this guy and remove some of the risk from their mission—make it more likely she and Luke would survive.

The IPI agent pressed his lips together and scowled. "Technically, since you're not an agent, you're not allowed near the prisoner."

She crossed her arms and glared at him. "This is our mission. We're the ones risking our asses to save these kids. We're the ones who will be left behind if it tanks. I don't give a damn about protocol. I want to talk to this guy, now. If you want our help on this, that is."

IPI's plan could not succeed without her and her brother, and the agent knew it. They could do things no one else could. It wasn't even just their para-powers, though that gave them an edge no one could compete with. They'd been in training for this, or completing these types of missions, their whole lives.

Lucy didn't back down as Morrison struggled between towing the company line and blowing the mission, versus giving her what she wanted. She wished she could borrow Sam's power for just a moment and read the guy's mind.

Sam. Is she okay? Is the baby okay? Lucy couldn't afford too many thoughts for her best friend. She had to focus on the mission, and on getting home safely, so that she could be there for the birth. If she wasn't already too late.